13 Tips for the Best Experience to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
Experience the two uniquely different lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Step inside a world where magic is real. Within Universal Islands of Adventure theme park, you can visit the iconic Hogwarts™ castle and explore Hogsmeade™ village. And at Universal Studios Florida theme park, you can enter Diagon Alley™ to enjoy a thrilling ride deep underground, unique magical experiences and more. Get ready to explore more of Harry Potter’s world than ever before the next time you’re in Orlando.
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1. Walk Through a Brick Barrier Onto Platform 9¾™ to Board the Hogwarts™ Express
Slip through a brick wall at King’s Cross Station between platforms 9 and 10. Insider tip: This is a great opportunity to video a friend or family member as they pass through. The view from behind is the best.
2. Cast Spells With Wands
To truly immerse yourself in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, you’ll want to purchase an interactive wand at Ollivanders™. Bronze plates are dispersed around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ with a spell name and the correct wand motion for casting it — expect something magical to happen.
3. Exchange Your Muggle Money!
Be sure to head over to Gringotts™ Money Exchange to exchange your Muggle money into Gringotts™ banknotes that can be used for purchases within Diagon Alley™, Hogsmeade™ and other select locations throughout the resort. Ask the goblin handling the money exchange any question you’d like and expect a specific answer.
4. Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Surprises
In London, you can see the Black family’s residence, which is invisible to Muggles™, at 12 Grimmauld Place. If you look closely, you may spot a familiar resident peering back at you.There are plenty of surprises around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, so keep alert.
5. The Knight Bus™
Acquaint yourself with the Knight Bus™ conductor. Insider tip: This is also a super-fun photo op.
6. Worth "Calling" Attention To
Venture inside the red, London-style phone booth in King’s Cross Station and dial 62442 (MAGIC) to see who you're connected to. Insider tip: If there’s a lengthy line at the Knight Bus™, have the members of your party head over to this phone booth.
7. Experience Wizarding World Ice Cream
Pop into Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, where inventive ice cream flavors include orange marmalade in soft serve, plus Butterbeer™, apple crumble, sticky toffee pudding, clotted cream, and strawberry and peanut butter in hard scoops.
8. Butterbeer™ in All Forms
Everyone knows the refreshingly cold, frothy Butterbeer™. But did you know it also comes frozen, as a fudge flavor, and as a delicious ice-cream flavor? You can also wrap your hands around a nice hot Butterbeer™, which is now available year-round.
9. Hog’s Head™
Tucked inside of Three Broomsticks™, you’ll find the Hog’s Head™ pub. Heads up, no pun intended: The hog actually snarls at guests.
10. Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions
If you stand in front of the antique mirror inside the store, be prepared to get some wardrobe feedback. Please note it’s not always positive.
11. Hogwarts™ Express
As you ride the Hogwarts™ Express to Diagon Alley™, you just might catch Lord Voldemort™ lurking outside of Malfoy Manor. You can board the Hogwarts™ Express with a Park-to-Park Admission Ticket. Additional restrictions apply.
12. Platform 9-and-What?
If you happen to ask station attendants at King’s Cross Station where Platform 9 ¾™ is, they’re bound to think you’ve gone completely nuts and quickly tell you as much.
13. Knockturn Alley
If you dare go down to Knockturn Alley, you may notice the temperature cools, the sky darkens and stormy clouds appear. Don’t be alarmed by the looming shadows in the storefront windows.
